->Researchers demonstrate that fortification of infant formula with the Human milk oligosaccharide 2’fucosyllactose (HMO 2′-FL) helps in the development and maintenance of immune homeostasis, and activate the systemic immune mediators.
->Human milk represents an optimal source of nutrition during infancy. It also serves as a vehicle for the transfer of growth factors, commensal microbes, and prebiotic compounds to the immature gastrointestinal tract.
->Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition and immune protection during early life. In certain uncommon but compelling instances in which breastfeeding may be contraindicated, the provision of nutritionally complete infant formula to support the developing immune system remains an essential goal for pediatric nutrition research.
->2′-FL is among the most abundant naturally occurring HMOs. It promotes systemic reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels, as a prebiotic component it is capable of influencing the composition and metabolic function of the gut microbiome, and in increasing the abundance of microbial fermentation products.
->It is observed that 2′-FL fortification resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the circulation of microbe-derived secondary bile acids. Secondary bile acids in circulation were associated with changes in circulating cytokine concentrations, suggesting changes to the systemic immune environment. This suggests that 2′-FL fortification of infant formula may support aspects of microbial metabolism typically associated with breastfeeding.
->2′-FL fortification is associated with elevated levels of dicarboxylic acids, and medium and short-chain fatty acids typically associated with bacterial fermentation. Dietary 2′-FL acts as either a direct substrate for bacterial fermentation or that it supports the growth of strains that are participating in the fermentation of other dietary compounds.
->Authors in this study, examined the circulating metabolite composition in infants who were fed one of several formula matrices differing only in their oligosaccharide content and relative to age-matched infants who were exclusively breastfed.
This indicated that supplementation of infant formula with 2′-FL supports the production of secondary microbial metabolites at levels comparable to breastfed infants. Thus, dietary supplementation of HMO may have broad implications for the function of the gut microbiome in systemic metabolism.
Link to the article: bit.ly/3OzcpuO
Published On: /05/2023
